Time to read: 5 min

In simple terms, prototyping is the process of physically building a model or draft of an idea. As engineers, prototyping is a crucial step in the product development process whereby a solid model comes to life and we can touch, see and interact with it. Historically, prototyping has been a lengthy and expensive process, but modern, rapid prototyping allows ideas to take shape in a matter of days.

CNC加工非常适合大型航空航天原型零件

Traditional vs Rapid Prototyping

传统上，产品开发的原型制作涉及以下步骤：

  1. Spending days or weeks designing a product with solid modeling software to create a 3D CAD model and a set of 2D drawings.
  2. 获取报价以制造几个制造商的必要组件
  3. 等待数周或几个月才能接收您的机加工原型，通常没有太多沟通

This old style prototyping relied upon sand casting and mock-ups using clay molding, wood, wire and tape. Although claymation movies may be amazing, those antiquated methods are best left to filmmakers. With the invention of CNC machining, 3D printing and rapid prototyping methodology, today’s engineers can fabricate prototypes far faster than ever before.

rapid prototyping utilizing 3D printing additive manufacturing is beneficial in many instances

快速原型采用了许多过程，包括：

快速原型制作的一个问题是，3D打印创造出看起来像3D模型的东西，甚至可以按预期移动或功能，但在尺寸上不准确。这就是为什么您仅用于显示目的的原型时，3D打印是一种出色且成本效益的选择。

Rapid prototyping with 3D printing also yields parts that are a different density with different material properties than the final product. This is due to the narrow range of available materials for 3D printing — though the number of materials that can be utilized in additive manufacturing is continuously growing. For instance, metal 3D printed parts are often more porous, which can cause mechanical failures and variable density if not subsequently processed.

CNC rapid prototype machining is the optimal choice when you need an engineering prototype or production prototype that looks, feels and functions as the finished product. And, with digital manufacturing infrastructure, like Fictiv’s platform, you can get instant quotes for CNC machined prototypes with turnaround times as little as a few days.

Benefits of CNC Machined Prototypes

Structural Integrity

CNC machined components offer a higher degree of strength and similarity to desired finished product mechanical and material properties than 3D printed parts. Among these desired properties, structural integrity is arguably the most important — structural integrity in this case can be defined as the material’sstrength, stiffness and hardness.

使用增材制造方法，层融合并不总是100％成功，这是导致空隙，孔隙率或层移动。这些矛盾可以在结果部分have adverse consequences on the structural integrity of the finished product. With subtractive manufacturing (CNC machining), your prototype is carved from solid, homogenous material stock, which reduces the possibility of geometric discontinuity.

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精确

CNC machining is one of the most reliable manufacturing methods for parts with tight tolerances.CNC machining can maintain tolerances as tight as one ten thousandth of an inch, whereas 3D printing can only hold a few thousandths of an inch (about an order of magnitude of difference).

维度精度

无论您是用塑料还是金属加工原型的CNC，您都会得到一个higher level of dimensional accuracy with CNC machiningover other rapid prototyping methods. CNC machining can easily produce parts with complex geometries at a high level of accuracy.

fast CNC prototype machining results in high-quality parts with excellent accuracy

Material Selection

Simply put,CNC加工可以在各种材料上执行从柔软和延展性到坚硬和刚性，从金属合金到木材再到塑料。CNC的加工部分是如此，部分原因是它是一种可靠的制造方法，几乎​​可以用所有实心材料使用。您甚至可以机器乙烯基，玻璃纤维和碳纤维材料，层压板，纤维板和波纹塑料！

Product Size

看看这台庞大的CNC机器被吹捧为世界上最大的。它能够生产高达八英尺高的零件！Thermwood M400的重量令人印象深刻，其头部可产生高达20k rpm的速度。虽然这台特殊的CNC机器无法购买，但它显示了您可以使用CNC加工制造的部分。对于原型制作，如果您需要避免进行广泛的装配步骤以获取原型，则该功能可能是一个重要功能。

Of course, there’s the the self-proclaimed世界上最大的3D打印机- 缅因州大学的高级结构和复合材料中心的创作 - 有100英尺的床。尽管如此，CNC加工的大量生产还是最佳的。

Prototype CNC machining是中期功能原型的理想过程。通过提供即时的在线报价，智能的DFM反馈和快速的交货时间，虚构可以帮助您通过快速原型来加速开发周期。

  • 完成，掩蔽和硬件安装
  • CNC Milling, CNC turning, gear hobbing, EDM
  • 公差像+/- 0.0002英寸一样紧

Considerations for CNC Machined Prototypes

The following are key limitations to consider when choosing between CNC machining and other methods for prototyping:

  • Other rapid prototyping methods may result in shorter turnaround times (Note: This is unique to prototyping runs as larger volume production lead times are typically shorter with CNC machining)
  • With additive manufacturing, you can create lightweight prototypes for display purposes because you can leave the internal cavity hollow. Achieving the same with CNC machining is much more complex.
  • 就材料废物而言，由于添加剂制造的层建设性，添加剂制造是一个更可持续的选择（尽管您通常可以回收CNC加工所产生的芯片）。

CNC Machining Prototyping with Fictiv

虚构的往绩可为我们的客户提供各种行业的高质量，精确的原型。Check out what our customer, Honeywell, has to say about their experience working with Fictiv for product development.

此外，以下是我们为客户提供的一些好处，以确保成功的CNC加工原型结果：

不管您需要的CNC服务类型如何，虚构都可以使其更快，更容易，更有效地采购和提供质量机械零件。前往Fictiv.comto learn more about ourCNC Machining Service, then create an account and upload your designs toget an instant quoteand free DFM feedback today!